Don’t INTERRUPT Me, I’m Too Busy For THAT…

A key part of building my CHANGE RAMP to the new year every December is checking my INTERRUPTIBILITY (I think that’s a word). I do that because God wants ALL BELIEVERS to periodically consider if they are INTERRUPTIBLE. Here are the three questions I ask myself to get that done:
  
ONE: Is this GOD interrupting me?
It is common for Christians (me included, of course) to think whatever they are doing is REALLY IMPORTANT and so SERIOUS that it cannot be interrupted. But what if it’s GOD behind the interruption with a specific reason why it’s important for us to respond?
  
When doing God’s work is the reason why we ignore his nudging or direction, our faith walk has skipped off its rails. When we are too busy for somebody’s need or to hear their pain, we are saying we are too busy to be like Jesus.
  
If we trust God unconditionally, we will leave some margin in our day for him to interrupt us.
  
TWO: Am I too focused on MYSELF?
For me, I need to be on the LOOK-OUT for interruptions because people rarely approach me with a request or need. I want to be sensitive to the needs around me and respond when I sense God’s direction, even if that means interrupting whatever I am doing.  
  
No matter how significant we think our work may be, living out our life purpose serving God and his Kingdom–bringing the lost in from the dark to God’s light and a life in eternity–trumps everything else.
  
THREE: Am I in touch with GOD’S WORD?
Did Jesus ever say “later” or “not now” to anyone who called out to him or he encountered? Of course not. Since we are to emulate Christ, we need to obey his command to serve others. We must be ready to allow God’s interruptions as he has a habit of doing. Consider this:
  
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
  
I pray that I am never too busy for God’s interruptions. I ask him to keep me on the look-out for interruptions that are opportunities to serve him.
  
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
  
Are you INTERRUPTIBLE? Are you sure?
  
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15